bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

sponsorType

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

factSheets

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

copyrighted

customTimezone

liveContents

Michael Taylor

A range of new courses sees HK's first virtual university take its innovative approach to learning to a wider market

Hong Kong's first virtual university - CyberU - is launching a range of new programmes.

The first  is a Master of Applied Computing, which will be offered by Beijing's Tsinghua University. Classes start next month.

Several more programmes will follow in the coming academic year. There will be Master  of Science degrees in business intelligence,  knowledge management,  software technology,  applied statistics and health system management; an online MBA; online English programmes and a top-up degree.

HKCyberU is a joint venture of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and PCCW. Launched in February 2000, it offers programmes leading to degrees that are granted by either PolyU or partner institutions such as Sheffield Hallam University of Britain or one of several other partners in the mainland, Australia and - from next year - the United States.

'We will also take PolyU programmes to the China and Malaysian markets,' says Pamela Lam, acting general manager of HKCyberU.

About 160 students have obtained postgraduate degrees from PolyU through HKCyberU so far. The most popular programmes are the Master of (or Postgraduate Diploma in) Professional Accounting, MSc (or Postgraduate Diploma) in project management, and MSc in e-commerce. Nearly all participants are in the workforce.

The Master of Professional Accounting has proved popular. 'The accounting department at PolyU has a long and reputable history,' Ms Lam explains. 'One reason for choosing accounting as one of our first online programmes was due to its overwhelming application numbers. By having this online study mode available, more students can  further their studies.'

The postgraduate diploma was the first conversion programme offered via the internet to be officially recognised by the Hong Kong Society of Accountants.

Another popular programme is the MSc in information systems (IS), which is also offered by PolyU.

'The use of information systems technology has become an important element of organisational strategy and has been of concern to IS managers and general managers,' Ms Lam says.

'This MScIS is a technical programme for non-technical managers who may be involved in the decision-making process surrounding IS technology. It enables management to acquire the ability to integrate the use and management of the IS technology infrastructure into the mainstream of their firms, solving problems involving the development of both IS and e-commerce.'

Another popular programme is the Master of Environmental Management, offered by Australia's Edith Cowan University.

'It is a rather niche area, but Edith Cowan has a good reputation in the environmental field because its academic staff actually have real experience in the industry and can discuss real case studies with students,' Ms Lam says.

'Edith Cowan is very experienced in delivering distance and online learning studies, with well-developed content and support for students.'

The Master in Traditional Chinese Medicine, offered by the Chinese Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine,  has also proved popular.

'The academy is the most prestigious institution in China specialising in traditional Chinese medicine directly associated with the National Ministry of Traditional Chinese Medicine, an integrated institution providing research, practising and teaching,' Ms Lam says.

'Our online programmes are the first available in Hong Kong. In addition to online materials, we regularly have professors from the academy coming to Hong Kong to offer face-to-face teaching.'



CyberU switches on to demand